The Terminator follows Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton) as she is stalked by a seemingly indestructible killing machine, or terminator, known as the T-800 (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger). She is helped by a man from the future named Kyle Reese (played by Michael Biehn). One of the most interesting aspects of
The Terminator, especially in comparison to the rest of the films in the franchise that would follow it is that this movie actually has more of a horror feel to it. Don't get me wrong, the action elements are still there, but they feel downplayed in comparison. As a villain, Schwarzenegger feels more like a stalking slasher than anything else. Part of the reason for this could easily be the fact that this is probably the closest a
Terminator movie could possibly look and feel to being low-budget. However, James Cameron really makes it work. I love the arc that Sarah Connor goes through. For most of the movie, she's just this helpless victim, until she's forced to save herself. The end seems to set the stage for who the character is going to become, and Linda Hamilton is really good. I like the idea Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese has sort of this wiry look about him too. It makes sense as to why nobody would believe him. The one thing that could potentially be seen as a flaw is some of the time travel logic. But, that's kind of a thing you just tend to get when you have movies that incorporate time travel. With this film in particular, it's the idea that if John Connor doesn't send Kyle Reese back in time to protect Sarah Connor, then John Connor is never born. It's a bit confusing when you think about it. It doesn't really detract from the movie by any means.
The Terminator is a classic for good reason.
9 / 10
Yes! Such a classic! Of course there is always the time-travel paradox. It is what it is. In the book "How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe", they address the time travel paradox basically by saying "You cannot change the past. It is done. You can travel to the past, but you cannot change it." And I like to think that part of the Terminator universe is that humans are intelligent enough to have mastered time travel, but still arrogant enough to believe we have power over it, e.g., the ability to change the past, the need to be in control. But yes, I absolutely love Linda Hamilton's arc in this film. :)
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